Why Impact Player rule is crucial for MS Dhoni’s IPL extension

Did MS Dhoni play his last match for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the Indian Premier League (IPL)? This is a question every Indian cricket fan asks after seeing the Super Kings fail to qualify for the playoffs. Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) secured their top 4 finish in heroic fashion, not only eliminating CSK but also ending fans’ dreams of seeing Dhoni lift the coveted IPL trophy in front of his fans at Chepauk, where the final of this season is scheduled to be held.

While clarity on MS Dhoni’s future is expected to arrive in the coming weeks, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) could also have a big role to play in helping the veteran wicket-keeper batsman decide his future.

The ‘Impact Player’ rule this season has allowed Dhoni to bat at No. 8 and No. 9 for CSK, sometimes just for 4 to 5 deliveries. With the arrival of the Impact Player rule, teams’ batting orders have been strengthened, with the strategic inclusion of players giving teams better protection in the middle.

But, the Impact Player rule has also received a lot of criticism, with players like Rohit Sharma highlighting the disadvantages of such a rule. Like Rohit, many others feel that the rule does not allow all-rounders to thrive in the league. The BCCI is expected to take a decision on whether or not to continue the rule next season.

Why the ‘Impact Player’ rule is crucial to Dhoni’s continued IPL

Already 42 years old, Dhoni will be 43 when the IPL 2025 season begins. The former India captain played an important role in this campaign as he battled a knee injury. The injury issue is one of the biggest reasons behind Dhoni batting at No. 7 or No. 8 in the batting order. With the Impact Player rule, CSK has the flexibility to maximize Dhoni’s strengths – his wicket-keeping, leadership and slow batting – while also giving younger players opportunities to step up.

Players like Sameer Rizvi have shown a lot of potential and if the Impact Substitute rule remains, the IPL will be able to unearth more such talents while also allowing veterans like Dhoni to remain a part of their franchises.

It is well known that at the age of 43 Dhoni would not be able to run between the wickets much, especially as he also has to keep wickets. This was one of the reasons why CSK sent Shardul Thakur over Dhoni in the batting order against the Punjab Kings this season, with Thala coming in at number 9.

Dhoni himself might be waiting for an update from the BCCI on the Impact Player rule. If the rule stays, Dhoni is likely to stay too. But if the rule is abolished by the Indian board, we might have seen the last of Dhoni in the IPL as a player.